Local Government: Reorganisation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many charters conferring the status of a borough have been granted by Her Majesty the Queen through the Privy Council Office since May 1997; and in which local authority areas such charters have been granted.

John Healey: Eight Charters have been granted since May 1997 conferring borough status to the districts of Brighton and Hove, Medway, North Lincolnshire, Telford and Wrekin, Wokingham, Cheshire West and Chester, West Lancashire and Cheshire East.